Although the V90 is an entry-level machine, it’s decidedly not a toy. The way it functions is complicated — a platform carries the tool holder; a larger gantry moves the tool back and forth; the frame positions the gantry; and it’s all driven by a motor turning the screw interposed between two shafts. Indeed, this three-axis Cartesian robot is probably the most complex machine I’ve ever built, and I had expected it to be correspondingly difficult to assemble; however, quite the contrary — it’s easier than many common bike repairs. A thriving community actively updates the online build guide, and all the materials were very helpful during my own build.

I am descended from 5,000 generations of tool-using primates. Also, I went to college and stuff. I am a long-time contributor to MAKE magazine and makezine.com. My work has also appeared in ReadyMade, c’t – Magazin für Computertechnik, and The Wall Street Journal.